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Category Archives: NFC North

Is it just me, or is there seemingly a lot of change going into this week? Randy Moss to Vikes, Big Ben returns, McCoy gets the start for the Browns, and so on. There are always injuries, trades, and changing of strategies that affects personnel but it seems as though there are more of them this year than I can recently remember. I wonder which change will have the biggest impact.

Randy Moss back to the Vikings, Deion Branch back to the PatsAs the NFL’s single season touchdown reception record holder (23), how could someone not want Randy Moss on their team? His antics have seemingly been stopped (recall the mooning episode, traffic and drug issues, to name a few) and he is still playing great ball. No one seems to answer the holy grail question: what happened to make the Pats trade Moss? Brady says he is tired of talking about it and Belichick hasn’t said much. Naturally. Although Deion Branch has returned, Brady has not had much time to rework the chemistry before facing the Ravens’ 3rd best defense in the league.

Colt McCoy to Start for the Browns
Let’s be honest, not much could hurt this team. So the question is, can the 3rd round, 85th overall draft pick help the Browns? He sure has an incentive to do so: According to McCoy’s contract, if he plays 35 percent of the snaps as a rookie, his fourth-year base salary more than doubles from approximately $500,000 to $1.15 million. With both Jakey and Seneca hurt, there is a possibility Colt will have a few starts. But if he plays well and lives up to the hype, will he keep the starting job?

Kolb vs. VickSpeaking of who will get the start, it seems Andy Reid has come to his senses and decided to start Vick- if he was healthy. But, all this play time for Kolb gives him the experience he needs to become a valuable trade in the future, or the continued starter if Vick keeps playing the way he has been- His aggressive, physical, and atypical style is what makes him both a success and a liability. With so much potential uncertainty at the helm of this team, can they be the leader of the NFC East?

The Return of Big BenWith debate out there as to whether or not Ben is a future hall of famer, he sure needs to come to come back taking charge. With a 3-1 start, the Steelers can only hope Roethlisberger keeps the momentum going, especially when they are last in the league for passing. With some waning support from fans as it is, for his off-field antics, if he does not come back and play better than ever, do you think he will lose his job? and more importantly, put the Steelers in jeopardy?

As much as I try to avoid the Brett Favre noise, I would be remiss if I didn’t at least post something surrounding the legendary quarterback. The 11-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion is the only QB in the history of the league to throw for over 70,000 yards and 500 TDs. He is also the oldest QB in the league and arguably, the most selfish.

While the public should focus on the the game and a players’ performance on the field, it’s hard to do so when a player causes so much commotion off the field, and is no longer performing at “hero” level. As such, he becomes open to scrutiny beyond the gridiron. No one begrudges someone to do something they love for as long as they can. And most people are forgiving enough to overlook alcoholism and infidelity as long as their hero is doing well. But stop playing well and any mere mention of transgressions are exposed.

Although the recent hubbaloo surrounding his alleged text messages and personal conduct is ridiculous, it seems as though it wouldn’t be in this much of a spotlight if he hadn’t left the Jets high and dry, or if he was playing well, or if he was…..retired? Brett Favre was America’s QB and while some say he got a raw deal in Green Bay, his hemming and hawing about whether or not to play has now affected three teams. Some call it desire to play, some call it ego. But had he not made such a spectacle of himself professionally, would anyone care about him personally?

I said a few weeks ago that if the Vikings don’t do well, I have a feeling we will see Favre “retire” with an injury.NFL.com news: Streak over? Favre says he’ll sit if throwing elbow too sore.
Sure it’s plausible that he genuinely can no longer play and confused his desire with ability, but it is also likely he is just an egomaniac who has run his course and is having trouble calling it a day. Although it was the teams’ choices, making three teams wheel and deal, wait for his decisions, and bend their training camp rules is no different than thinking he can naughtily text people and cheat on his wife and it will all be OK. (Yes she forgave him for it and it’s their business but most people forget his past.)

He is no longer America’s beloved QB. Neither his playing or potential off-field shenanigans are OK. His personal life is his own, and his family’s, but as a fan of football it’s sad to see a legend go out like this- both professionally and personally. Many say he never should have come back this year, or the year before, or the year before that. I had no opinion but now, I almost feel embarrassed for the guy and the decisions he has made. For the sake of the Vikings, his family, his legend, his health, and whatever fans he has left, he should just bow out gracefully. Even blame it on an elbow if he has to.